What is the current status of the hostage situation between Israel and Hamas?

Israel is expecting to receive the bodies of four hostages from Hamas under the first stage of an ongoing ceasefire deal, with the IDF already preparing for their return. To date, 19 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released, while 73 individuals remain in captivity. Of those still held captive, approximately half have been declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities. This hostage exchange occurs within the framework of a broader negotiation process, representing just the initial phase of what appears to be a multi-stage ceasefire agreement between the parties.